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In 2014, BuzzFeed writer Matt Stopera’s phone was stolen from a New York City bar. A year later, photos of storefronts and a man next to an orange tree mysteriously appeared in his iPhoto stream. Matt wrote an article about it, and overnight, it went viral in China, where internet users identified the man as “Brother Orange.” Invited to China, Matt became an instant celebrity, and while the media followed their every move, he and Brother Orange formed a deep friendship that transcended cultural and language barriers. When Brother Orange visited Matt in the United States, Matt felt compelled to reveal himself fully, coming out to his new friend. Years later, after enduring the pandemic alone, Brother Orange recorded a hopeful video message, expressing his desire to be reunited with Matt.
